The Colonial Dream: Imperial Knowledge and the French-Malagasy Encounters in the Age of Enlightenment

Damien Tricoire

Published by De Gruyter Oldenbourg 2023

The Colonial Dream

Imperial Knowledge and the French-Malagasy Encounters in the Age of Enlightenment

Damien Tricoire
Translated by: Christine O'Neill

Volume 5 in the series Transregional Practices of Power

https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110715316

Overview
Contents

About this book

European expansion began in the early modern period, but in the 18th century Europeans were still far from establishing their rule in Africa or Asia. Many attempts at expansion failed miserably. Nevertheless, the belief in European supremacy and civilizing charisma was consolidated. This study examines the reasons for these unrealistic plans and shows how a gap developed between imperial aspirations and the reality of intercultural encounters. Using the history of French attempts at expansion in Madagascar as an example, it analyses the unfolding of colonial fantasy, the production of bureaucratic knowledge and the role of the Enlightenment in the development of colonialism.

Author / Editor information

Damien Tricoire, Martin-Luther-Universität, Halle-Wittenberg.

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	I
Preface Publicly Available Download PDF	V
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	IX
Introduction Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
Encountering and Narrating
1 Islamic and European Globalisations Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	39
2 The French in Madagascar, the French from Madagascar Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	57
3 Imperial Failure and Colonial Fantasies Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	77
4 Maudave, or The Optimist Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	97
5 Unsuccessful Conquistadors Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	125
6 Beňovský or The Enlightenment Robinsonade Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	145
7 Persistence and the End of the Dream of Madagascar Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	170
Creating Knowledge
8 The Spirit of Gentleness Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	199
9 Taboos of Enlightenment Colonialism Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	217
10 Colonialism and philosophie Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	238
11 Adventurers and Bureaucrats Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	273
12 The Birth of Modern Colonialism? Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	317
Conclusion Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	341
Appendix List of Handwritten Memoranda on Madagascar (1769–1819) Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	348
Abbreviations Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	353
Illustrations Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	354
Bibliography Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	355
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	381

(Deutsch)

Language: English
Publisher: De Gruyter Oldenbourg
Audience: Historians focussing on colonialism
Pages
- Front matter: 11
- Main content: 388
Illustrations
- Illustrations: 23
Keywords: Colonialism; France; Madagascar; Enlightenment

eBook

Published: March 6, 2023
ISBN: 9783110715316

Hardcover

Published: March 6, 2023
ISBN: 9783110715248